Martin McDonagh’s The Lonesome West Opens August 6

Dark Comedy Closes Out Keegan’s Record-Breaking Reopening Season

July 19, 2016: The Keegan Theatre closes out its record-breaking 19th season with Martin McDonagh’s brutally funny dark comedy, THE LONESOME WEST. Set in the tiny Irish backwater of Leenane, warring brothers Valene and Coleman live to torment each other, baiting and brawling over every petty grievance, from would-be girlfriends to cheap potato chips. Only Father Welsh, the local parish priest, will try to save them before their sibling rivalry explodes into a hilarious and brutal finish.

“We’re delighted to return to McDonagh,” says Mark A. Rhea, Keegan’s founder, artistic director, and director of THE LONESOME WEST. “We’re big fans of his at Keegan, and I think audiences will remember BEHANDING IN SPOKANE and want to come back for more of his incredible comedy. There’s no one like him.” LONESOME WEST not only reunites Rhea with McDonagh, it also brings together Matthew J. Keenan and Bradley Foster Smith as the warring Valene and Coleman – Keenan and Smith appeared opposite each other earlier this year in PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE. “These guys are at the top of their craft right now,” Rhea continues. “And they’ve got a natural chemistry from working together before. The chemistry among this cast in general has made an already hilarious script even funnier – and just a really joyful process for all involved. We can’t wait to share it with audiences in a few weeks!”

In addition to Smith and Keenan, THE LONESOME WEST features Sarah Chapin as Girleen and Chris Stezin as Father Walsh-Welsh. “We’re ending our season with the same momentum we started,” Rhea concludes. “I’m lucky to have a crackerjack cast and design team to usher us out of this momentous reopening season for Keegan. This one really is not-to-be-missed – it’s the Keegan company showing our funny side, and going out swinging with a script that fits us perfectly. McDonagh’s genius sense of humor provides the perfect antidote to the dog days of summer.”

THE LONESOME WEST runs August 6- August 27, 2016 at the Andrew Keegan Theatre in Washington, DC. The press opening is Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 8pm. This is Keegan Theatre’s 19th season in Washington, DC and their inaugural season in their newly renovated theater located in Dupont Circle.